Arctic Governance in an era of Geopolitical Rupture: Amb. David Balton on the CAO Fisheries Agreement, relations with Russia, and how to revitalize the Arctic Council

Arctic Governance in an era of Geopolitical Rupture: Amb. David Balton on the CAO Fisheries Agreement, relations with Russia, and how to revitalize the Arctic Council

Author: Eric Paglia September 1, 2026 Duration: 48:17
Geopolitical rupture has been a reality in the Arctic since February 2022, but not all forms of Arctic governance have been equally affected. While the Arctic Council has struggled to function since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement has remained resilient, representing perhaps the last bastion of the otherwise defunct idea of Arctic exceptionalism. What can these contrasting experiences tell us about the future of Arctic governance, and Western engagement with Russia?   In this episode, Ambassador David Balton, Senior Fellow with the Belfer Center’s Arctic Initiative at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, discusses these two important governance regimes and what their divergent trajectories reveal about the possibilities and limits of Arctic cooperation in the current geopolitical environment. Having played a central role in both, including chairing the negotiations that produced the CAO Fisheries Agreement and serving as Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials during the previous U.S. Arctic Council chairmanship, Ambassador Balton also offers recommendations for how the Arctic Council—now 30 years old—might be revitalized despite today’s geopolitical challenges.   Polar Geopolitics on Twitter / X: @polargeopol Polar Geopolitics on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/polargeopolitics Polar Geopolitics on SubStack: https://polargeopolitics.substack.com/  Polar Geopolitics YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PolarGeopolitics    Polar Geopolitics on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/polargeopolitics/ Polar Geopolitics website: http://www.polargeopolitics.com Polar Geopolitics on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/polargeopolitics Polar Geopolitics on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=KXUVZKGALMFXU

Hosted by Eric Paglia, Polar Geopolitics-Arctic and Antarctic analysis digs into the complex forces shaping the world's most remote frontiers. This isn't just a geography lesson; it's a deep exploration of how power, policy, and environmental crisis collide at the poles. Each conversation moves beyond headlines to examine the underlying strategic currents, from the scramble for critical raw materials in Greenland to the delicate governance of the Antarctic Treaty System. You'll hear leading researchers and policymakers unpack the realities of great power competition, where the interests of the United States, China, and Russia intersect with melting ice and emerging sea routes. The discussions regularly grapple with the role of institutions like the Arctic Council, the nuances of science diplomacy, and even the unsettling potential for hybrid warfare in these fragile environments. By applying a sharp geopolitical lens, the podcast reveals how climate change and national ambition are inextricably linked, making the polar regions central to understanding our global future. Tune in for thoughtful, expert-driven analysis that connects distant ice caps to the core issues of international affairs.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Polar Geopolitics - Arctic and Antarctic analysis
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